REFLECTED PERSPECTIVES

If you blog you eventually become aware that people read what you write, but may not be on the same page. Your range of interests and theirs diverge. The posts most often visited show a spectrum of differences, and if taken as a portrait of the average reader paint a picture of someone you might want to keep at arms length.

As, I'm sure, my readers wish to keep me.
Further than an arm, at least.
Several miles.


Recently popular essays here:

PRISON ON FIRE SONG
Jan 9, 2011
One of the best know Hong Kong movie songs, originally sung by Maria Cordero. Still deservedly popular.
The movie was 監獄風雲 ( ('gaam yuk fung wan') from 1987, directed by Ringo Lam. The song was 友誼之光 ('yau-yi ji gwong').


IT'S NARCO-STATIC!
Dec 19, 2019
It's more or less about food and drugs in the Netherlands, about which there is almost nothing original to say. Plus sneering references to Geert Wilders and fried things.


CANTONESE GIRLS ARE BEAUTIFUL
Apr 20, 2011
Written the year after the break-up of my long-time relationship with Savage Kitten, but in reflective reaction to the opinion that Cantonese girls looked rather ape-like. Which was surprising to me.
I do not share that opinion.


DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FRENCH CUT AND HIGH CUT
Nov 19, 2012
This one remains eternally popular, seeing as it concerns underwear. There are no pictures. It was written primarily to tease Pakistanis and other internet trolls. It's often staggering what people search for on the internet.
My own queries usually have the words "wiki" or "def" in them.


THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
Dec 10, 2019
There's a talking fish here, and a few bitter remarks.
Some of us don't like the holidays.


HAM SAP LO - THE CANTONESE PERVERT
Apr 27, 2011
The term "ham sap lo" is not complimentary, and frequently applied to men (often Australians) by angry Cantonese women. The Cantonese language can be sharply expressive, an evocative and flavourful tongue.


BIG HEAP OF TOBACCO
Jan 28, 2010
A long list of essays talking about pipes and pipe tobacco, subjects which are frequently mentioned on this blog. You may have deduced that I am a long time pipe-smoker. No vapes, bongs, glass pipes, or other drug paraphernalia. This entry is of interest only to fellow pipe-smokers.


A GENERATION OF RUTABAGAS
Dec 18, 2019
Bad beverages and Baby Yoda.
Caffeine.


THINGS YOU NEVER TELL YOUR DOCTOR
Dec 14, 2019
My doctor has advised me to stop smoking, eat better, and exercise more. He probably suspects that I am not fully vested in that programme, and he would not know what to make of the stuffed animals.


GO AHEAD; BURN SOMETHING
Dec 16, 2019
Thoughts about Christmas trees.


THE EARLY CUP
Dec 16, 2019
Because of Losartan (a medication), my dreams are vivid and often detailed. Combine that with caffeine, and the results are often unusual and pleasing, and sometimes involve languages. Some people taking blood pressure medication experience depression and nightmares, but in my case there are very clear dictionary entries and scenes from movies.


AFRIKANER SMOKE CLOUDS
July 2, 2009
This one is about the pipe tobaccos that are common in South Africa, and because how smells evoke memories, I did a bit of research. Since then I've been lucky enough to sample a few of them.


CANTONESE ROAST GOOSE
Dec 26, 2012
How to prepare roast goose. It's similar in approach to roast duck, which is more appropriate to smaller groups of people, but just as beloved as a quick working man's lunch in Hong Kong, over a bowl of rice with some yau choi, bought, frequently, from a dai pai dong.


CHINESE NEW YEAR - LUCKY WISHES, LUCKY FOODS
Jan 30, 2011
About many of the Cantonese dishes which are traditional for the Spring Festival (春節 'chun jit'), which this year (2020) falls Saturday January 25. Fortunately I am working that day, the next, as well as the Monday after, so I shan't be wondering what to do and where to eat. Otherwise it might be a tad depressing.


DIM SUM: KINDS, NAMES, PRONUNCIAT​ION, DESCRIPTIO​N
Mar 28, 2012
A full listing with Chinese characters and pronunciation.


HO SI FAT CHOI 好事發財 DRIED OYSTERS WITH BLACK MOSS
Feb 1, 2011
Traditional at some celebrations, especially at New Year. Three recipes.
Due to holes in my social life I haven't had any in years.



Food is mentioned a lot. Seeing as my social life is almost non-existent, that's not surprising. People who know me in real life seem to rather like me, but in truth I am probably too peculiar for large doses.
I am the single diner.

Besides, as a smoker I am not safe for your children, your house, your elderly relatives, and your oppressively health-freakish cousins.



Important geography: 
Valkenswaard, Eindhoven, 'sGravenhage, Amsterdam, Antwerp.
Hong Kong, SF Chinatown, Manila, Jakarta.
San Francisco, Berkeley, Marin.
North Beach.




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